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In the heart of McLaren Vale, where vineyards stretch towards the horizon and community ties run deep, Vikki Yarnold is quietly transforming lives. As the founder of Evolving Pathways, Vikki is not just delivering care — she’s redefining it. Her business offers a deeply personal and flexible approach to disability and aged care services under the NDIS, driven by her own lived experiences and an unwavering belief in human-centred support.

Vikki's path into care began not as a caregiver, but as a young patient. Born with skin cancer, she spent much of her childhood undergoing surgeries and extended hospital stays. It was there — in hospitals like Stoke Mandeville in the UK — that she met the nurses who would inspire her future. “I was always in awe of how they made not just the kids, but also our families, feel calm and safe,” she recalls. “Even when everything was frightening, they had a way of making it feel like it was going to be okay.”

That early experience left an indelible mark, setting her on a lifelong path of nursing. “I wanted to be that person — the one who could make a difference during someone’s scariest moments,” she says. And that’s exactly what she’s become.

Born in the UK, Vikki grew up with grandparents who were fascinated with Australia. "They never made it out here, but they instilled in me this idea that it was a magical place," she says. Her childhood was steeped in Aussie TV shows like The Flying Doctors and Home and Away, planting the seed for what would later become a life-changing move.

After training as a nurse in the UK and building a career in complex care and disability service, Vikki felt an irresistible pull to explore Australia firsthand. “We visited, fell in love with Adelaide and within weeks, we were applying to move,” she says with a smile. "We didn’t really tell many people — some of our family had only eight weeks to get used to the idea."

Settling in Adelaide, Vikki began working with a local community nursing company. “Adelaide had everything — beaches, wineries, nature — and such a strong sense of community,” she says. Soon after, her family moved to Seaford Heights, watching their new neighbourhood rise around them from scrubland to suburbia.

But Vikki’s journey into founding her own care business was born from her early years in and out of hospitals. “I saw the best of what care could look like,” she says, remembering the kindness and skill of nurses who made even the most difficult days bearable.

That early experience laid the foundation for a career defined by compassion. In the UK, she led a team supporting people with complex health needs in their homes.

Then came a turning point. Her son, Andrew, was born and later diagnosed with multiple conditions. “It floored me,” Vikki says. “Not just as a mum, but as a nurse — I missed the signs because of how well his other conditions masked them.”

Navigating the NDIS system for her son was eye-opening — and frustrating. "Providers would show up, sit at the table, and do nothing. The focus was on what they could bill, not what my son needed."

When Vikki herself was later diagnosed with MS, her understanding of the system deepened. “I realised this wasn’t just our story — this was happening to so many others.”

And so, Evolving Pathways was born.

“We’re about putting people first — asking them what they want, what their goals are, and then tailoring support around that,” she explains. The business name reflects the ethos: life is a journey, and care should evolve with it.

Based in McLaren Vale, Evolving Pathways supports people with a wide range of needs — from children with intellectual disabilities to elderly clients wanting to stay independent at home. The team provides everything from in-home supports and community participation to allied health, counselling, nursing care and complex clinical services such as PEG feeding and tracheostomy management.

But what sets the business apart isn’t just the services — it’s how they’re delivered.

“We’re flexible. We go into homes. We fly to rural communities when someone wants to pass away at home. We train families and other carers. We even help people pursue personal goals — like getting out in the community, or joining Nippers at the beach,” Vikki says. “We’re not here to tick boxes. We’re here to walk alongside people.”

The business has grown, but it remains deeply personal. Her team, many of whom have lived experience with disability or family members in care, share her passion.

“Honestly, it’s the Fleurieu spirit,” she says. “People around here really look out for each other. We’ve had our team welcomed into communities with open arms. It’s beautiful to witness.”

Despite the heavy workload, Vikki finds her joy in family time, patchworking and the occasional camping trip. “We used to just pack up and go get lost in nature. There’s something special about finding those secret spots no one else sees,” she says.

Evolving Pathways continues to grow, grounded in a mission that’s both professional and personal. “When you’re dealing with someone’s health, their independence, their goals — it’s sacred. We’re not just supporting clients; we’re partnering with people on their life journey.”

For those who’ve met Vikki, it’s clear — her pathway was always going to lead here.